Oceanographic Studies Division

What We Do?

The mission of the OSD is to develop oceanographic research and services for practical environmental applications. This will be achieved through:

Developing research and support capability to public and private stakeholders
Developing relevant research and applications of first-world quality, thereby attracting and forging international collaboration
Providing training opportunities that are delivered in short, application-specific manner
Providing project-based employment to sustain research students while providing a practical environment for their applications
Infusing the technology with GIS-based platforms
Participating in research and activities that contribute to sustainable use of our coastline resources

These goals are in line with MGI's successful model of a framework that retains the symbiotic relationship of research and commercial entity, resulting in quick and efficient technology transfer to the marketplace.

Data Collection

Bathymetry

OSD can provide bathymetric data of the Jamaican coastline ranging from scales of 1:10,000 to 1:800,000. Available formats are:

Images as *.jpeg
x,y,z in *.txt
DEM's as *.grd

The table below provides locations for which bathymetric data are available.

Name	Scale
Jamaica and the Pedro Bank;	1:831,000
Eastern Approaches to Jamaica	1:200,000
Western Approaches to Jamaica	1:200,000
Harbours on the South Coast of Jamaica - Port Morant	1:12,000
Harbours on the South Coast of Jamaica - Salt River Anchorage	1:18,000
Harbours on the South Coast of Jamaica - Port Esquivel	1:18,000
Ports and Anchorages on South Coast of Jamaica - Port Kaiser	1:12,500
Ports and Anchorages on South Coast of Jamaica - Savanna La Mar	1:25,000
Ports and Anchorages on South Coast of Jamaica - Black River Anchorage	1:50,000
Pedro Bank to the South Coasrt of Jamaica	1:200,000
Approaches to Jamaica	1:400,000
Kingston Harbour	1:20,000
Approaches to Kingston Harbour	1:140,000
Port Antonio	1:7,500
Portland Bight	1:40,000
Discovery bay	1:7,500
Harbours on the North Coast of Jamaica - Oracabessa Bay	1:12,000
Harbours on the North Coast of Jamaica - Rio Bueno	1:12,500
Harbours on the North Coast of Jamaica - St Anns Bay	1:15,000
Harbours on the North Coast of Jamaica - Falmouth Harbour	1:10,000
Ocho Rios Bay	1:10,000
Harbours on the North Coast of Jamaica - Lucea Harbour	1:12,500
Montego Bay	1:12,500
Harbours on the North Coast of Jamaica - Mosquito Cove	1:18,000
Kingston Harbour - Port Bustanante	1:10,000

Coastal Resources

OSD-MGI provides an array of GIS data sets that are useful in oceanographic studies and projects. These include:

Banks
Shoals
Cays
Reefs
Mangroves
Bays
Beaches
Coves
Protected areas
SCUBA sites

*Arrangements can be made to collect new data.

Satellite Imagery

MGI offers high resolution, affordable DigitalGlobe® satellite imagery in partnership with GeoOrbis, Inc. of Barbados. MGI offers both Archived and New Collect satellite imagery.

ARCHIVED IMAGERY refers to imagery already collected in MGI’s image library. This type of imagery features a delivery time of 6 working days from time of order.

NEW COLLECT IMAGERY refers to imagery that has not yet been collected. This type of imagery is specific to client request and requires longer delivery time.

A collection window of 90 days is suggested for New Collect Imagery to ensure sufficient time for collection of imagery that meets your specification.

Field Work

OSD-MGI has a number of experienced field officers with a wide range of skills. We have on staff:

Certified open water SCUBA divers with over 7 years of experiences
Marine scientists (PhD and MSc) including oceanographers and marine ecologists
Geographic Information Systems specialists & consultants

All staff are trained in GIS data collection and provide a range of environmental services including assessments, analysis and surveys. (See "Environmental Consultancy" for more details)

What We Do?

Data Collection

Cartography

Analysis

Environmental Consultancy

Partnerships

Products